Greetings! Learning how to say the months in Navajo can be an exciting journey into the rich cultural heritage of the Navajo people. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of expressing the months in Navajo, touching upon regional variations as necessary. Get ready to dive in and expand your linguistic horizons!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
Let’s start with the formal way of saying the months in Navajo. The formal expressions are often used in official or more professional settings:
- January – Hastiin (Man)
- February – Tsénaaá (Cold)
- March – Daaztsaastiinii (Big Moon)
- April – Daaztsaastsoh (Big Moon Only)
- May – Daaztsaasnull (Big Moon Above)
- June – Daaztsaasiizii (Big Moon Behind)
- July – Daaztsaasdiidxi (Big Moon Arriving)
- August – Daaztsaajoolii (Big Moon Disappearing)
- September – Daaztsaasdiitsoh (Big Moon Arriving Late)
- October – Daaztsaasnidii (Big Moon Behind Already)
- November – Daaztsaasjoolsiizii (Big Moon Disappearing Behind)
- December – Daazbaatsos (Big Cold)
These formal expressions reflect the unique Navajo perceptions of nature and time. As you can see, the months are often associated with natural elements or celestial events.
Informal Expressions
For everyday informal usage, Navajo speakers often opt for simpler, more colloquial expressions:
- January – Byáázh (Freezing Cold Month)
- February – Yéego Nílchʼi (Snow Month)
- March – Chʼikʼaay (No Leaf Month)
- April – Chʼil Haajiin (Frost Month)
- May – Tsʼeh Tlʼizhí (Green Grass Month)
- June – Hai (Planting Month)
- July – Tłʼiish (Humid Month)
- August – Tłʼiish Chʼil (Humid Warm Month)
- September – Haazhǫʼǫgáá (Fall Season Month)
- October – Bikʼąągo (Fall Color Month)
- November – Tłʼiish Baʼanígeezis (Humid With Frost Month)
- December – Níłchʼi Bíkǫʼ (Winter Month)
These informal expressions are more accessible for everyday communication and reflect the practical aspects of each month in the Navajo calendar.
Tips and Examples
Here are some tips and examples to help you navigate the diverse world of Navajo months:
Tip: When pronouncing Navajo words, pay attention to the tonal accents and elongations. This aspect is crucial for accurate communication.
Example: The formal expression for “May” is “Daaztsaasnull,” pronounced as “Daaz-tsaa-snull” (with a slight emphasis on the “tsaa” syllable).
Tip: In informal expressions, notice how the months often describe specific characteristics or activities associated with that time of the year.
Example: The informal expression for “September” is “Haazhǫʼǫgáá,” which translates to “Fall Season Month” and perfectly captures the essence of that time of year.
Remember that learning Navajo months is not just about mastering vocabulary; it’s about immersing yourself in the rich Navajo culture and understanding the significance of each month within their way of life.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this guide on how to say the months in Navajo! You’ve taken a step towards appreciating the language and culture of the Navajo people. Remember to practice your pronunciation and explore more aspects of their fascinating linguistic heritage. Expand your journey by exploring regional variations as you continue to delve into the Navajo language.
Best of luck, and enjoy your continued exploration of the Navajo language!
